Autistic Nottingham

Understanding Autism

Stimming

Stim is short for self-stimulatory behaviour.

Stimming is an important part of autistic body language. It can look like fiddling, rocking, flapping, tapping, spinning, toe walking, and many more. Because we can get overwhelmed by unpredicted or complex sensory stimulation, stimming provides a predictable pattern of stimulation, which can be calming and reassuring, and helps to regulate overwhelm.

Stimming is very natural to autistic people, and trying to repress stimming has negative impacts your ability to concentrate, as well as your emotional wellbeing!

We also stim in response to intense emotion, for example, happy hands!

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